Severe Mercy

 "Lord, I thank You for Your ministry of the night." A.W. Tozer

Joni Eareckson Tada is one of my greatest spiritual heroes. Paralyzed by a diving accident at the age of 17, she has been wheelchair bound for 55 years as a quadriplegic. She lives with intense pain every moment of her life. She is deeply acquainted with suffering, and through it, even more deeply acquainted with Christ.

Recently in a video, she spoke words that, as always, pierced my heart. She said of her suffering, "What a severe mercy, but what a sweet one. It has made me get to know Him better." C.S. Lewis wrote a book entitled, "The Problem Of Pain." The problem of pain and suffering has been a stumbling block for so many in their thoughts on God. How could He allow it in the lives of those He says He loves. Tada has discovered something in hers that few of us ever do. She has come to know that the God who allows pain and suffering in our lives will use that for a very divine purpose, that of growing ever deeper in knowledge and intimacy with Him, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Severe mercy leading to sweet knowledge.

Tada said that sometimes her pain is so intense that she cannot put two words together in a prayer. In those times, she says that the hymns she has grown to love and cherish will come to mind and their words will flow through her mind and spirit. One of these has the lyric, "Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side." In her suffering, she has come to know the truth of that lyric. In this fallen world where suffering will come to us, we can know that in the midst of the deepest pain and sorrow, He is on our side. Loving us, keeping us, sustaining us, leading us home. And revealing to us ever deeper aspects of who He is. That is His severe mercy that is at the same time, sweet and tender mercy.

In one of my own times of dark pain and sorrow, I read the classic book by Paul Biltheimer, "Don't Waste Your Sorrows." I only partially understood what he spoke of then, but the years and the dark passages I've walked have taught the deeper truth of what He was saying. I have learned more of Him in the darkness than I ever could have in the light. The way of suffering will always reveal more of Jesus, the Suffering Servant and King,than could ever be realized in soft places. The Man of Sorrows reveals Himself in our own sorrow.

As I said, Tada is a hero. She has walked through the darkness bearing more sorrow than I could ever deal with. She knows Him in ways I never have. Her life inspires me to not waste my own sorrows, but to use them as bridges to an ever deepening walk with Him. To understand the severe mercy she speaks of. May that be the result for you as well. In the world we will have tribulation, but we can be of good cheer. He has overcome all the suffering we could ever walk through, and in Him, we do as well. Because of her suffering, Tada can take the hand of her fellow sufferers and help them home. May we, in our own small ways, allow Him to use our pain to do the same. 

Blessings,
Pastor O